TenMason found a cluster of around twenty or so buildings, half a day's journey from the ranch where he'd left Elisabeth. Most appeared empty, or abandoned, but several showed signs of occupancy, with one or two appearing to be newly painted. No one moved in the street, however, and an eerie silence clung to every part of this strange, dormant township. He tied the wagon up outside an imposing cattle association building and strode in, without pausing to brush off the dust clinging to every fiber of his clothing.
The room was big, square and very dark. There were two rows of desks opposite each other, forming a sort of avenue leading to the far end where a much wider desk stood on top of a stage. This allowed anyone who sat there to have a good view of the entire area, especially those ot
